Meet Martin,

Martin grew up in Guerrero, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States at 17 years old. Since then he has called Jersey City home for over two decades. Like many, he started out taking any job he could find in New York City, one of his first is doing delivery in a bike.

While working at Picasso Pizzeria, a family-run Italian pizza spot loved by the Battery Park neighborhood, Martin’s wife, Evelia, encouraged him to learn a new skill so he could work inside instead of braving harsh weather. And soon after, he was given the chance to step into the kitchen and learn how to make pizzas. From there, he found his rhythm and continued to grow his skills.

Years later, he joined Lisbon Pizzeria, a well-known local favorite near the Jersey City waterfront and Saint Peter’s Prep. Working alongside his brother, he deepened his knowledge of pizza-making and learned what it takes to run a neighborhood spot.

After leaving Lisbon Pizzeria it eventually closed down in 2017, but Martin didn’t want its story to end. He and his wife decided to reopen it under a new name — Pizzeria Las Américas. Today, they do it all — from making pizzas and handling deliveries to greeting customers. They both integrate what they have learned while working with italian run pizzeria.